Martinez Zogo Trial: Eko Eko’s Defence Challenges Evidence and Chain of Command
The defence of former DGRE Director-General Léopold Maxime Eko Eko has issued a fresh statement challenging the evidence and chain of command presented in the Martinez Zogo trial.
In a communiqué dated September 17, Eko Eko’s lawyers say the accusations against their client are not supported by material evidence. They point to a December 29, 2022 exchange in which Lieutenant-Colonel Justin Danwe allegedly contacted Gendarmerie officer Legrand Ngamby to find men who could “correct” Martinez Zogo, and allegedly asked that their WhatsApp exchanges be deleted.
The defence also cites a November 12, 2021 service note signed by Eko Eko, which it says removed Danwe from coordinating DGRE operations and transferred that responsibility to the agency’s Technical Adviser Number One.
The lawyers argue that no evidence has been presented to show that the measure was later cancelled. They further allege that the operation against Zogo involved unofficial channels and bypassed the normal chain of command.
The statement follows the September 14 and 15 hearings at the Yaoundé Military Tribunal, during which Danwe maintained that he received instructions from his hierarchy to carry out the surveillance, abduction and torture of Martinez Zogo.
The defence maintains that the alleged chain of command must be established through evidence before responsibility can be attributed to Eko Eko.
